A good day out for the Mother’s Day handicap, and a turn up for the books with a Come and Try Rider Craig O’Keefe getting across the line with a clear gap to the day’s winner Vic Balfour. Many thanks to the volunteers again who made the day such a pleasure to be on the road.

Next week on the 16th May, we’re joining AMCC at Outer Harbour. Then we start to get serious again with the Club Time Trial Championships on 23^rd May. If you haven’t given this style of racing a try, then make sure you sign up. The “race of truth” is you against yourself. Road bike or TT bike, it makes no difference. You are on the road riding, with your head screaming arguments for and against. Simply brilliant.

See you there!

The AVCC has confirmed a decision to postpone the National racing series planned for Adelaide in Jan 2021 due to the current travel restrictions across States and the difficulties faced by people wanting to make plans.

We have to comply with the Gov’t regulations pertaining to Covid-19. We have our Covid-19 Safe Plan approved, and are taking measures to stop the spread of coronavirus. Things we can all do to help:

• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Keep to the physical distancing rules – 1.5m separation
• Safe hygiene – (yes on the bike as well !)
• Keep below the maximum capacity numbers in any meeting room etc.

We want to be a club in every sense of the word. Welcoming and friendly, with a touch of competition to push each other for that satisfaction that can’t be achieved on a Saturday bunch ride. But above all, we are starting to show as a club that we can do this and stay safe. We respect every rider who while trying their best, places the safety and wellbeing of others and themselves above that of having to come first.

We are fortunate in being able to race on public roads, so it is important that we respect other road users and inconvenience them as little and as safely possible. At all times during our events, you are responsible for your own safety and ensuring that you obey road and cycling rules. That means keeping to the left and not crossing white lines unless absolutely necessary. Of course there will be times when safety dictates that you “take the lane” but remember on roads with limits of 80kph or more, other drivers are required to give you 1 ½ metres when passing. That just isn’t possible if you are riding alongside the white line.

While our SAPOL trained marshals do have the authority to stop traffic, our club’s policy is that they stop riders when other traffic is around. Typically the only time we will stop other traffic is for sprint finishes on Blewett Springs and Hunt Roads. Whether we have a marshal at the corner or not, you are obliged to follow the road rules, i.e. if a Give Way sign, then you must Give Way till safe to proceed. Our Marshals are there to take the decision from you and will show a Stop sign if you should be giving way. Disobey the marshal and it’s a DQ and probably suspension. Good communication amongst the riding group is important when negotiating corners.